Barcelona starlet Alen Halilovic is close to joining Valencia on loan for the 2016-17 season, the young Croatian's agent has told Spanish radio.
Halilovic joined the Camp Nou outfit from Dinamo Zagreb in the summer of 2014 for an initial fee of €2.2 million, and played one season at Barca B before impressing on loan at Sporting Gijon during the 2015-16 campaign.
Zoran Stojadinovic, the agent of the full Croatia international who turns 20 in June, told Esports COPE that recent conversations between Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez and his Los Che counterpart Jesus "Suso" Pitarch had been productive.
"Suso Pitarch got in contact with Barca to speak about a possible transfer," Stojadinovic said. "My understanding is that it was a long conversation and they are close to signing a preagreement."
Cadena Ser have reported that Halilovic could leave Barca this summer for a fee of €5m, with that deal then including a "repurchase" option that could see him return to the Camp Nou in the future should he continue to impress elsewhere.
Mundo Deportivo reported that Blaugrana coach Luis Enrique would prefer for the player to continue his development under Sporting coach Abelardo -- although the financially troubled El Molinon club would not be able to afford a transfer fee.
Stojadinovic appears to favour the option of playing at Valencia for a while, before then perhaps returning to be a first team star at Barca.
"Alen is a player with a big future and could end up playing at Barca," Stojadinovic said. "Valencia are a big team who play good football. I would recommend them, no doubt."
